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Umang SJB Rana
CEO
Westar Properties
Horseback rides, adventure sports and lots of fun aside, Umang Rana's disciplinarian parents ensured he learnt to respect everybody. He expresses his gratitude for the earthly values his parents instilled in him right since his childhood.
By Pinaki Roy
Born into Rana aristocracy, Umang SJB Rana, the CEO of Westar Properties did not have life served on a platter for him. Not that his family couldn't afford so, it was because his parents wanted to instil earthly values in him right since his childhood. Rana expresses his gratitude for the same, I am what I am today largely because of my parents and the values they taught me.
The first child of Former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police Rupal SJB Rana and Montessori Teacher Usha Rana, he went to Dipendra Police School (which is now Nepal Police School), Sanga. Rana considers himself blessed to have travelled the length and breadth of Nepal, Being a policeman, my father relocated frequently to different parts of Nepal. I visited no less than 13 zones myself during my school vacations.
His father wanted at least one of his two sons to join the defence forces but young Umang had different ideas in mind. After completing his A-Level from Nagarjuna Academy and ISc from St Xavier's College, Rana left for Russia to study Civil Engineering. But he left the study midway and returned home two years later. I just couldn't complete it. I fell home sick, he admits in a near apologetic tone. Back in Nepal, he began pursuing Bachelor of Business Studies degree with specialisation in Human Resource. While still in college, Rana landed his first paid job a month long stint with Surya Tobacco Company (now Surya Nepal) for its product introduction. I was on the streets promoting the new product to the passers-by and asking them to try it. Each day, they will send me to a new location, he reminisces.
An introvert since early childhood, Rana had quite a few female acquaintances but never a serious relationship. He is happily married for seven years now and has a two-year-old son. You ask him about his school friends and he goes, Most of my friends from school are settled abroad. But I do come across the ones that are still here.Rana's wife Aashmi who owns Himali Pashmina Udyog was instrumental in goading him to turn a businessman. He says, I am lucky to have her as my life partner. She inspired me to take up business for a profession.
Venturing into business ended his career as a DHL executive. Rana had started out at DHL as an Assistant Operations Coordinator in 1999 and worked up the ladder to become its Country Operations Manager before he left in 2007. “I must say it was a rewarding career, he admits. Having travelled the entire South East Asia for his work, he had little left to achieve unless he wanted to take up a position with the company abroad. This is another factor that triggered his retirement from DHL as he did not want to move out of Nepal. After weighing several options, Rana finally decided to plunge into construction as, Apartment business was much in demand around three years ago which led to my decision to enter this line of business.One thing led to another and he entered into a technical collaboration with Westar Properties, Dubai.
Rana asserts that you can call a project a success only when it gets completed. It is precisely when commitment gets delivered and a dream turns into reality. He gets a bit emotional talking about his current project Westar Residency, a Vaastu compliant high-rise apartment building at Balkumari, Lalitpur. This is my baby. I have been involved with the project from scratch and it's immensely satisfying to see it taking shape,he says. A planner, by his own admission, he recommends infrastructure as a prime importance and wants the government to ensure infrastructure development for the overall development of the country.
He believes he was born with a golden heart, I go out of my way to help people. I guess it comes naturally to me.He is a religious person and prays for self-satisfaction. He draws inspiration from Bhagavad Gita your good actions automatically come back to you, sooner or later. Living in a joint family, he is a self-confessed homely person. He says that living in a joint family comes with a lot of advantages as well as responsibilities. On week days, it's a strict home-to-office and vice versa. He loves to catch up on movies though, with his wife and parents. He says, I am glad that there are a few good movie theatres now that we can go to.
Not a party animal, he normally attends social occasions only. Late nights are a complete no-no, I don't have this urge like a lot of other people to attend the so-called happening events in town.You will usually find Rana comfortably attired. He believes in dressing for the occasion. Clad in a suit while showing around his sample flats, he can be caught wearing shorts and T-shirts in summer. At other times, he loves to wear daura-suruwal for family functions.
He says it's just the right time for him to work hard, I am giving it all I have, for the completion of Westar Residency by its projected deadline 4th Qtr of 2012. Once the mission is accomplished, Rana wants to expand his business horizon and move into other sectors depending on the direction the nation's economy heads towards in the next 5-10 years. At present, the uncertainty level is very high so I am yet to identify my future business course, he explains. He has kept all options open and wants to enter businesses that have values. A firm believer in the adage, œlearning never stops, success is not only about creating wealth for him. Letting go of bachelorhood and becoming a father later transformed him as a person, he says. My marriage and the birth of my son has made me become more responsible socially and had me planning for the future, he reveals. Having led quite a privileged life, Rana doesn't have any major regrets and is content with everything god has to offer.
On the Side
- Sports : Played football, basketball, badminton, tennis, cricket, volleyball you name it! Tried his hands at golf too, for a week, a time consuming sport. I will take it up full time later in life.
- Pets : Owns a Tibetan Dog. Loves animals, Playing with them works as a stress buster.
- Mobile Phones : Any model that can receive and make phone calls is good enough. Not a gadget freak.
- Car: Has a fascination for automobiles. Currently drives a Mitsubishi Pajero. Prefers to drive an SUV as it is ideal for his weekend travels.
- Television : Mainly News channels including Al Jazeera and BBC.
- Movies : Favourite genre Action flicks. Mad about actor Steven Seagal.
- Food : Daal Bhaat Rice is my biggest weakness. Also likes Japanese and Chinese food.Trivia:
Other
- Rana wanted to learn piloting, a childhood dream he never pursued.
- His father's wish finally came true My younger brother joined the police, he quips.
- A terrible liar I find it difficult to lie because when I do, it reflects on my face
- For a rush delivery while at DHL, he momentarily forgot his work designation and drove a delivery van.
